Mediterranean Swordfish Tartare

17/11/2023

Swordfish tartare is a fresh and tasty dish, perfect for the summer months or for an elegant dinner. Here I provide the recipe for a Mediterranean tartare with an Italian twist.

Ingredients

200 g of very fresh swordfish
10 cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon of desalted capers
1 tablespoon of pitted Taggiasca olives
1 ripe avocado
Juice of 1 lemon
1 bunch of fresh basil
Extra virgin olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 fresh chili pepper (optional)

Preparation

Start with preparing the fish. The swordfish must be of prime quality and very fresh. Cut it with a sharp knife into small, even dice, place it in a bowl, and keep it in the fridge.
Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them into quarters or halves, depending on your preference.
In a bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, capers, and chopped Taggiasca olives (if you want a more intense flavor) and mix gently.
Peel and mash the avocado until you get a cream. Season with a pinch of salt, black pepper, and a drizzle of lemon juice to prevent it from darkening.
Take the swordfish out of the fridge and season it with salt, pepper, lemon juice, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Add finely chopped chili pepper if you like a spicy touch.
Gently mix the swordfish with the tomato, caper, and olive mixture.
Prepare the plate: first arrange the avocado cream at the bottom, using a cooking ring to shape it. Add the seasoned swordfish on top, pressing lightly to compact everything.
Carefully remove the ring and garnish with a few fresh basil leaves.
Serve immediately, accompanying the tartare with toasted bread croutons or friselle.

Curiosity

Fish tartare is a raw preparation that requires excellent quality and freshness of the fish because it is consumed naturally. Swordfish is ideal for this type of dish thanks to its delicate flavor and firm flesh. Mediterranean cuisine is best expressed with the use of simple ingredients and sea flavors, so this dish is a perfect example of balance and taste.